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The initial jarl, Skald will deny Madena's requests to leave for High Rock to escape the civil war, and will try unsuccessfully to get her to fight as a battlemage for the Stormcloaks:

Madena: "Skald, I've been meaning to ask you for a leave of absence. I wish to return to High Rock until this war is over."Skald: "You wish to leave now? In Skyrim's moment of triumph, just before we cast off the yoke of Imperial rule?"Madena: "Yes, that's exactly what I'm asking. I'm not a Nord, I'm a Breton, and I have no wish to fight this war."Skald: "I don't think so, Madena. There will be no deserters in this hold, and that's final."

Skald: "Madena, can we count on your spells to assist us in this war? The Empire is bound to bring their battlemages against us."Madena: "I told you before, Skald, I have no interest in taking sides in this war. I've no desire to be killed."Skald: "What good is a court mage if she refuses to fight? Where's your sense of duty?"Madena: "When I came here, my only duties were to cure crop diseases and occasionally light a bonfire on holidays. I didn't sign up to kill."Skald: "Fine, but this isn't over Madena. We'll talk again."

Should the Empire take The Pale, however, Madena will be much more willing to help the new jarl, Brina Merilis, although her housecarl will be somewhat untrusting of her:

Brina: "Madena, I was wondering if you could help me with something. Your magic would be invaluable."Madena: "If this is about battle magic, forget it. I've told every Jarl I've served under that I won't...."Brina: "Actually, I was just wondering if you could make sure people are tended to if they get hurt. I'm sure you wouldn't object to that."Madena: "I, well, no of course not. I would be glad to help."Brina: "Thank you, Madena. I appreciate your assistance."

Horik: "I want you to know I don't trust you, Madena. And I'll be watching you."Madena: "I'll tell you the same thing I told Skald. I'm here to help the people of Dawnstar, not play politics. Point your suspicions of treachery elsewhere."Horik: "So you say. We'll see if that's true when the Stormcloaks make their move."Madena: "Well, at the first sign of battle I'll be comfortably sitting in my room, waiting for it to end, so don't you worry."

Madena: "I've seen you walking with a bit of pain sometimes, Horik."Horik: "I'm fine, Madena."Madena: "I know old men sometimes have pains in their legs when they rise from bed. I know a few spells that could help."Horik: "I said I'm fine, Madena. I won't have some court mage fixing me up like some magical experiment."Madena: "Still suspicious of me. Well, don't say I never offered."

Madena then gives up, leaving him while warning you with either "That museum is a mistake." or "I beg you, don't go into Silus's museum." You may ask her who Silus is and what this museum is about, and she will reply with, "Silus comes from one of the oldest families in Dawnstar. They have a complicated history. Several of his ancestors belonged to the Mythic Dawn, the cult that almost destroyedTamriel. His family's involvement was only found out well after the crisis had died down, but it still ruined their reputation. They were outcasts. And now Silus is back and this museum to the Mythic Dawn is his way of trying to rebuild his family's pride. It's misguided." You can then ask about the Mythic Dawn: "Not a student of history I see. It's for the best. They're a group that should be forgotten. The only thing you need to know is that they almost destroyed the world, and they were stopped. A long time ago."

Madena reveals that she is a veteran of the Great War between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion and recounts what she witnessed. She became horrified by the use of her spells during a battle, which killed every Thalmor soldier in the fight, and she vowed to never use destructive magic again. However, if attacked, she will break that vow.

When asked if she is the court wizard she will say "If you can call it that. The Jarl can make all the demands in the world, I'm not setting one foot on the battlefield. I cut enough lives short in the Great War. I'm not going to do it again."

The following items are sitting out in the store, for example on the store counters. They can be purchased from the merchant, or else can be stolen. Other items may also be present in the store, but those other items are not available for purchase. They respawn after ten days.